I write a lot about quitting your job and throwing caution to the wind. I realize that not all of us want that. Some like their careers but need to regroup and figure out “which way should I take my career now?”
I, too, wondered at one point in my career; I took time off and then had a new goal; a dream of being a Digital Nomad. It was a dream for longer than I care to admit.
You might not dream of being a digital nomad, but maybe you want to:
learn a new language
Pursue an advanced degree
Take six months to hike to PCT
Write a novel
See the world
Volunteer with Doctors without Borders
A career break is often called an adult gap year. Did you know that in Europe, it is common to take a gap year after high school or college?
I have met so many young travelers on a gap year. Most have explained how it helps them get the courage to go into the workforce or know what they want to study in college. We need to implement this in the USA!
Can you imagine having time to know what you want to do with the rest of your life instead of being told you graduate and immediately must get a job or else?
I know I was petrified of the workforce when I started and went into college. I didn’t know who I was; how was I supposed to decide at 19 what would direct the course of my life!
What if I had taken a gap year at 19 vs. 38. We will always have what if’s, but at least I am doing it now!!
A career break is when you are deliberately taking off for a set amount of time from your career.
It can be from a month to a year. It typically has a start and an end time.
Some companies will approve the time off, and some may even pay you. I met a school teacher from Germany who had a nine-month paid sabbatical. I was shocked, amazed, and a little jealous.
Back in the days of my nursing career, I have approved a six-week “sabbatical” I called it a vacation. I went to Bali, France, and toured all of the national parks in the US.
I wanted to quit my job, but I did not have the courage. That six weeks only reinforced what I would eventually do, finish my career for good.
Sometimes, a career break can rejuvenate you and reinforce what you already want to do.
Six pros of a career break:
You have time to reassess your career. You can reflect on what you are doing in your career and think, is this what you want to be doing? Also, you can look at ways to improve your situation. Possibly create your niche in your career to branch out; who knows!
Take time off to volunteer. I have met so many people who want to give back. It can be with Doctors without Borders, the Peace Corps, or me with my smaller scale volunteering. It also looks good on future resumes.
Get an advanced degree/learn a new skill/language. It can help your career advance when you go back to the office. It might even put you up for a raise, or you can apply for a new position.
You have time to follow your dreams. Life is about living our lives to their fullest potential. If you have a year off to hike that mountain, you will be happier and more fulfilled. It will reflect in your work.
Have you ever seen The Secret Life of Walter Mitty?
Work on your mental health and physical health. So many of us have neglected our psychological and physical health because we have no time! It will free up time. Maybe you have addictions and want to go to rehab; perhaps you want to do an intense workout session or train for a marathon or triathlon. You have time to do it now; no excuses.
You want to spend time with your kids. Maybe you just got married or had a baby, or your kids are at that age that you taking time off to form a bond is essential. You take time off to stay home and create that bond, no working, no stress. It will take a lot of planning, but you can do it.
You can do anything you set your mind to.
Six (ok 7) cons of a career break:
Ok, so with everything, there is always a flip side. However, I feel the pros outweigh the cons; you be the judge for yourself.
Your career progress stops. You most likely will have zero progress, and when you go back to work, it is the same. Possible before your break, you would have received a promotion. It is almost like starting over.
It could look not good to future employers. If your job did not approve your time off and you quit anyway, you will have to explain the gap in your resume; however, if you take the tips from the pro section. It will not be an issue.
Loss of income if you are not prepared. It could be the biggest issue for most of us — poor planning. Plan your career break, and save or get a remote job that you will enjoy, such as teaching English or starting a blog or vlog. Make it fun!
I highly recommend preparing and having at least six months’ salary saved.
Adjusting back to work can be a struggle. You have to start getting up early again, going into the office. It could have also happened to many of you during your remote work-from-home pandemic year.
You get bored and do nothing. So I encourage planning to make the most of your time off. If you do not plan and prepare, you could have a Netflix and chill year. Also, maybe this is what you needed.
Maybe you realized you want to create your own business company and be self-employed. You know you hate your job and never want to go back (me!) It is not a con; you have to redirect and pivot your life. Please do it.
Maybe you want to write a book, do it. Yet again, not a con; get a job you enjoy or move abroad. You at least have some perspective on what YOU want out of YOUR life!
Life is never about doing what makes you miserable; it is about creating a life that you want to live — one that fills you with joy and happiness.
So many lose sight of this and worry about making money, and then we are afraid we don’t have enough money. It has taken over our life. I was like this; I never pursued anything I wanted out of fear of running out of money.
“Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it.”
— Judy Blume
I realized how irrational that was. The workforce is changing; people are starting businesses out of a passion project. They are doing it, so if you want to take a career break, do it; prepare.
The first year off is always the hardest. It is when you will grow the most, and you might want to quit and return to what you left. Trust me; this will happen. I almost quit a million times, but I didn’t because I knew I would make it work even when I got laid off and could not leave Argentina during the pandemic.
It was a life-changing moment. I will forever be grateful to my younger self for her choices; even when they weren’t always the best, I always learned from them: one way or the other.
Have you ever taken a career break? What did you learn from this process?
XOXO
S